Ferris Ironworks

The Ferris Ironworks was a 19th century iron factory in Croydon, England, owned by Rupert Ferris. It was initially known as "Bow Rail Works", but Ferris purchased it in the 1850s and turned it into a train manufacturing factory. Ferris severely maltreated his workers, who worked back-breaking, fourteen-hour shifts in order to keep production levels high; the workers were policed by cruel overseers. Rations were given out at infrequent levels, doubled on some days and held back on others, motivating workers to maximize production time. Machine accidents were common, and the operators were blamed; they were told to bear any pain in silence lest they risk unemployment or having their wages docked. Many workers died from complete exhaustion after being over-worked. In 1862, Crawford Starrick bought out Ferris, but the working conditions remained the same. In 1868, Jacob Frye sabotaged the machines at the factory, and he then proceeded to assassinate Ferris in his office, depriving the company of leadership.